We’ve finally made it to conference championship weekend. 

The slate of games is incredible, but the stakes feel off. A lot of these games don’t mean much, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t value on the board! 

Let’s find some winners on the biggest weekend of games this season.

#2 Indiana vs #1 Ohio State (-4) Total: 47.5

I may be underrating Indiana, but this is the easiest pick of the weekend. If you compare these two teams by position, Ohio State leads across the board. Indiana has beaten up on the bad teams on its schedule, but has shown flaws against tougher competition. Curt Cignetti might be the best coach in the nation, and the way Ohio State disrespected Indiana after beating them last season is definitely staying with him going into this game.

However, the flaws from last season are the same as this year. Ohio State is far superior in the trenches, and that will allow every other aspect of the Buckeyes to shine brighter. Lastly, Indiana’s most significant weakness might be on the perimeter. That can’t be the case when you need to stop the trio of Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and Max Klare. Keep it simple and bet on the best team in the country.

Pick: Ohio State -4

#11 BYU vs #4 Texas Tech (-12.5) Total: 49.5

My heart absolutely loves BYU in this spot. They got smoked in their first matchup against Texas Tech, but I don’t think the score tells the whole story. BYU had two bad turnovers, a missed field goal, and was stopped at the Tech three-yard line. They did a solid job slowing down Behren Morton all day, and I think playing on a neutral field will make this game a lot closer.

So, everything I mentioned makes me think BYU should keep it within the number, but what was the story of the week leading up to this rematch? Is Kalani Sitake going to Penn State? Of course, a big deal was made, and the boosters (or church) ponied up the money to keep Sitake in Provo. The last thing I want my head coach thinking about before conference championship weekend is what other jobs are better than my current job. Because of that, I’m taking Texas Tech and the under. Jacob Rodriguez headlines the best defense in Red Raider history, and I think they lean on this elite unit to keep it a low-scoring win.

Pick: u49.5
Lean: Texas Tech -12.5

#3 Georgia (-2.5) vs #9 Alabama Total: 48.5

If you have watched either of these two teams play within the past month, you’d think Georgia would be 14-point favorites. The Bulldogs are peaking at the perfect time behind a surge from Gunner Stockton. He’s playing some very efficient football, while Alabama has sort of limped to this finish line to close out the year.

But sometimes in sports, it doesn’t matter how much better one team is; the other just has their number, and that’s been the case with Kirby Smart at Georgia. The problem is, I don’t think Alabama is a playoff-caliber team this year. I think there’s a better chance Georgia boat races them and actually makes them weigh whether to keep them in the playoffs. If you eliminate the logos from these two teams, I pick Georgia 100/100 times, and because of that, I’m going to trust my brain and take Georgia, and the over.

Picks: Georgia -2.5, o48.5

Duke vs #17 Virginia (-4) Total: 57.5

I saved the worst for last with the ACC Championship. Who doesn’t love a conference championship between the third and sixth best teams in a conference? Just three weeks ago, we watched these two teams play, and Virginia dominated Duke in Durham.

Duke probably has the best player in this game in Darian Mensah, but Virginia’s defense is significantly better than the rest of this Duke offense. There’s a reason Duke is 7-5 and just lost to Virginia by 17 at home. The committee’s fear of Duke winning is justified, but the Cavaliers should still be able to take care of business and finish off a dream season with a playoff appearance.

Pick: Virginia -4
Lean: u57.5